A move from retail and hotel management to confined space training might sound like a dramatic shift in direction, but it’s one that’s worked for David who is among a team of five new recruits helping to plug this particular industry skill shortage.
A short course delivered by NETA Training, alongside Harlum Services, gave the 26-year-old from Grangetown the skills he needed to try something new.
First to admit that he was in the dark about what would be involved, he said: “I don’t think I had a clue what to expect, but I knew I wanted to do something industrial and a bit more practical.”
The four-week bespoke employer led programme was created to tackle industry skill shortages. Along with the ECITB medium risk confined space training the programme covered elements such as manual handling, the CCNSG safety passport and first aid at work.
With a fist full of new tickets to help him gain work on a site in the construction industry, a guaranteed interview at the end of the course with Teesside-based Harlum saw David successfully gain his first contract working on an industrial site as a confined space attendant.
Enjoying the demands of a new career, he said: “I’m glad I did the course. I wasn’t expecting to go from the course to work in a matter of days.”
As the first point of contact for those working in confined spaces, he added: “It does feel like a lot of responsibility but once you start doing it, it starts to feel like muscle memory.”
Harlum Services specialises in delivering projects and partnerships with a vision to be their customers' strategic partner of choice in industries such as renewables, construction, carbon capture, nuclear and petrochemicals.
Keen to play their part in creating a pipeline of local talent to support current and future projects in the region, Harlum directors, Harry Taylor and Calum Brown, worked with the Education Training Collective and Stockton-on-Tees Employment and Training Hub to create the bespoke employer led programme. It was delivered with funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority through its Adult Skills Fund.
Harry said: “As a confined space attendant you are the first and last port of call to make sure safety requirements are being met.
“This programme offered us the chance to get to know the delegates a bit more and see and understand their approach to work.
“The attitude and culture of the workforce is so important, if the culture is right the rest can be taught.”
